Safety garment and backpack having reflective panels

ABSTRACT

A safety garment that has a garment portion and at least one panel portion that is attached to the garment portion increases the visibility of the wearer by utilizing body motion of the wearer and air movement past the wearer to cause each panel portion to sway or flap. Each panel portion can be reflective, have a fluorescent pigment and/or include a luminescent pigment. At least a portion of a panel portion can include a plurality of streamers. A safety backpack has similar features.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/479,784, entitled “Safety Garment And BackpackHaving Reflective Panels,” invented by Jacqueline Bordeaux, filed Jun.18, 2003, and which incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to safety garments and backpacks.More particularly, the present invention relates to safety garments andsafety backpacks having panels providing high visibility.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] There are numerous examples of safety garments or devices thatmake the wearer more conspicuous. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,442to Porter discloses reflectorized and/or safety-colored work clothing,and U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,998 to Reckler discloses a reflective garmentthat improves the visibility of the wearer when light is directed uponthe wearer. Other examples include U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,688 B1 to Wilson,which discloses a high-visibility detached safety sleeve, and U.S. Pat.No. 5,829,056 to Hubert, which discloses a reflective safety garment inthe form of an apron.

[0006] Nevertheless, while each safety item developed up to now improvesthe chances that the wearer will be seen, what is still needed are asafety garment and a safety backpack that further increases the abilityof the wearer to be more visible by utilizing body motion of the wearerand air movement past the wearer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a safety garment that furtherincreases the ability of the wearer to be more visible by utilizing bodymotion of the wearer and air movement past the wearer.

[0008] The advantages of the present invention are provided by a safetygarment having a garment portion and at least one panel portion that isattached to the garment portion. Each panel portion moves in a swayingmotion as air moves past the reflective panel portion. According to theinvention, each panel portion can be reflective, have a fluorescentpigment and/or include a luminescent pigment. Further, the outer edge ofthe reflective panel can be reflective. At least a portion of a panelportion can include a plurality of streamers or flags. The garmentportion can be one arm covering or at least one leg covering. When thegarment portion includes a torso portion and at least one sleeveportion, a panel portion is attached to at least one of the torsoportion and/or a sleeve portion. Accordingly, the garment portion can bea shirt, a vest, a jacket, a coat, a pair of shorts or a pair of pants.

[0009] The present invention also provides a safety backpack thatincludes a backpack portion and at least one reflective panel portionthat is attached to the backpack portion. According to the invention,each reflective panel portion moves in a swaying motion as air movespast the reflective panel portion. Additionally or in the alternative,the panel portion can include a fluorescent color and/or a luminescentpigment. As another alternative, the reflective panel can be attached tothe backpack portion with a flexible line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not bylimitation in the accompanying figures in which like reference numeralsindicate similar elements and in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 shows first and third exemplary embodiments of a safetygarment according to the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a safety garmentaccording to the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the second exemplary embodiment of asafety garment according to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a safety garmentaccording to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 shows a side view of the fourth exemplary embodiment of asafety garment according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a safety backpackaccording to the present invention; and

[0017]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a safety panel accessoryaccording to the present invention that can be attached to a garment orto a backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a safety garment 100according to the present invention configured as a long-sleeve bicyclingjersey or shirt. A cyclist 101 riding a bicycle 102 is shown wearing asafety garment 100 that includes a reflective back panel 103 that isattached to the back portion of safety garment 100 and a reflectivesleeve panel 104 that is attached to a sleeve portion of safety garment100.

[0019] As cyclist 101 rides bicycle 102, air moving past cyclist 101causes reflective panels 103 and 104 to generally move in a mannersimilar to a flag flapping in a breeze. In the presence of low ambientlight conditions and/or when a light, such as a headlight of a vehicle,is directed upon panels 103 and 104, the flapping reflects light in aflashing manner and thereby makes cyclist 101 more visible. Additionallyor in the alternative, each panel or selected panels can be further madefrom a material having a fluorescent color and/or a luminescent pigmentto make cyclist 101 more visible. As yet another alternative embodiment,each panel or selected panels can be made having an outer edge portionthat is made from or contains a reflective material, with the center, ormiddle, portion of the panel being made from a material having afluorescent color and/or luminescent pigment. As still anotheralternative embodiment, each panel or selected panels can be made havingan outer edge portion that is made from a material having a fluorescentcolor and/or luminescent pigment, with the center, or middle, portion ofthe panel being made from or containing a reflective material. Whileonly one reflective back panel 103 is shown in FIG. 1, it should beunderstood that there is at least one or more reflective panel 103attached to safety garment 100, but is not shown. Similarly, while onlyone reflective sleeve panel 104 is shown, it should be understood thatthere is at least one or more reflective sleeve panel 103 attached tothe other sleeve of safety garment 100, but is not shown.

[0020] Each reflective back panel 103 is generally rectangular in shapeand extends from near the top of the back to near the bottom of the backof safety garment 100. Each reflective sleeve panel 104 is alsogenerally rectangular in shape and extends from near the shoulderportion to near the wrist portion of the sleeve of safety garment 100.It should be understood that the overall shape of reflective back panels103 and reflective sleeve panels 104 can be different from rectangular,such as having rounded ends, being a series of triangular shapes, aseries of square shapes, or being scalloped-shaped, as long as the panelhas sufficient width so that each panel will have a flapping motion asair moves past the cyclist 101 and the panel. While the exact widths ofpanels 103 and 104 are not critical, their respective widths should notbe too large thereby acting as a sail and inhibiting the forward motionof cyclist 101 or by making riding dangerous in a cross wind. Further,while a single continuous panel is shown for each panel 103 and 104,each respective panel can in the alternative be formed by a plurality ofsmaller reflective panels that are attached to safety garment 100 andcan even take the form of a plurality of streamers or flags.

[0021] While reflective back panel 103 is shown as being preferablyattached to the back portion of safety garment 100, reflective backpanel 103 could attached anywhere on safety garment 100, such as theside of safety garment 100, so that air moving past cyclist 101 willcause panel 103 to flap. Similarly panel 104 could be attached atvarious places to sleeve portion. Panels 103 and 104 can be attached tojersey using any well-known technique, such as by sewing, gluing, tying,or by using a zipper, snaps or Velcro.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a safety garment 200according to the present invention configured as a short-sleevebicycling jersey or shirt. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the secondexemplary embodiment of safety garment 200. FIG. 2, in particular,depicts the back of safety garment 200, thereby showing reflective backpanels 203 and reflective sleeve panels 204. As with the first exemplaryembodiment, each reflective back panel 203 is generally rectangular inshape and extends from near the top of the back to near the bottom ofthe back of safety garment 200. Each reflective sleeve panel 204 is alsogenerally rectangular in shape and extends the length of the sleeve ofsafety garment 200. It should be understood that the overall shape ofreflective back panels 203 and reflective sleeve panels 204 can bedifferent from rectangular, such as having rounded ends, being a seriesof triangular shapes, being a series of square shapes, or beingscalloped-shaped, as long as the panel has sufficient width so that eachpanel will have a flapping motion as air moves past the cyclist 101(FIG. 1) and the panel. While the exact widths of panels 203 and 204 arenot critical, their respective widths should not be too large therebyacting as a sail and inhibiting the forward motion of cyclist 101 or bymaking riding dangerous in a cross wind.

[0023] While only two reflective back panels 203 are shown attached tothe back portion of safety garment 200, it should be understood that inan alternative embodiment of safety garment 200, there can be more thantwo reflective back panels 203 attached to the back portion of safetygarment 200. Similarly, while only two reflective sleeve panels 204 areshown, one attached to each sleeve of safety garment 200, it should beunderstood that a plurality of reflective sleeve panels 204 can beattached to each sleeve.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a safety garment 400according to the present invention configured as a short-sleevebicycling jersey or shirt. FIG. 5 shows a side view of the fourthexemplary embodiment of safety garment 400. FIG. 4, in particular,depicts the back of safety garment 400, thereby showing reflective backpanels 403 and reflective sleeve panels 404. In contrast to the firstand second exemplary embodiments of the present invention, eachreflective back panel 403 is generally triangular in shape and there isa plurality of reflective back panels extending from near the top of theback to near the bottom of the back of safety garment 400. Eachreflective sleeve panel 404 is also generally triangular in shape andthere is a plurality of reflective sleeve panels 404 extending thelength of the sleeve of safety garment 400. It should be understood thatthe size of each triangularly shaped reflective panel 403 and 404 is notcritical, but should be large enough so that each panel will have aflapping motion as air moves past the cyclist 101 (FIG. 1) and thepanel. While the exact widths of panels 403 and 404 are not critical,their respective widths should not be too large thereby acting as a sailand inhibiting the forward motion of cyclist 101 or by making ridingdangerous in a cross wind.

[0025]FIG. 1 also shows cyclist 101 wearing a third exemplary embodimentof a safety garment 110 according to the present invention configured asa pair of shorts. Alternatively, safety garment 110 can be configured asa pants or tights. Safety garment 110 includes a reflective leg panel111 that is attached to the side of safety garment 110. As cyclist 101rides bicycle 102, air moving past cyclist 101 causes reflective legpanel 111 to generally move in a manner similar to a flag flapping orwaving in a breeze. In the presence of low ambient light conditionsand/or when light is directed upon reflective leg panel 111, theflapping motion reflects light in a flashing manner, thereby makingcyclist 101 more visible. Additionally or in the alternative, each legpanel can be further made from a material having a fluorescent colorand/or a luminescent pigment to make cyclist 101 more visible.

[0026] Each reflective leg panel 111 is generally rectangular in shapeand extends along the leg of safety garment 110. Each reflective legpanel 111 is also generally rectangular in shape and extends from nearthe top of the leg to the bottom of the leg of safety garment 110. Itshould be understood that the overall shape of leg panels 111 can bedifferent from rectangular, such as having rounded ends, being a seriesof triangular shapes, a series of square shapes, or beingscalloped-shaped, as long as the panel has sufficient width so that eachpanel will have a flapping motion as air moves past the cyclist 101 andthe panel. While the exact widths of panels 111 are not critical, theirrespective widths should not be too large thereby acting as a sail andinhibiting the forward motion of cyclist 101 or by making ridingdangerous in a cross wind.

[0027]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a safety backpack 600according to the present invention. Safety backpack 600 can be used tocarry items, such as books, camping equipment or other items that arecommonly carried in a backpack. Additionally or in the alternative,safety backpack can be and/or include a hydration system. Safetybackpack 600 includes a plurality of reflective panels 601. Eachreflective panel 601 is generally triangular in shape and extends fromnear the top to near the bottom of the back of backpack 600.Additionally or in the alternative, each panel can be further made froma material having a fluorescent color and/or a luminescent pigment tomake the wearer of safety backpack 600 more visible. It should beunderstood that the overall shape of reflective panels 601 can bedifferent from being triangularly shaped, such as a series ofrectangular shapes, being a series of square shapes, or beingscalloped-shaped, as long as the panel has sufficient width so that eachpanel will have a flapping motion as air moves past the wearer of safetybackpack 600 and each panel. Further, while a plurality of panels 601are shown, panels 601 could alternatively be a single, continuous panelthat extends from near the top to near the bottom of safety backpack600.

[0028]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a safety panel accessory700 according to the present invention that can be attached to a garmentor to a backpack. Safety panel accessory 700 includes a flexible line701 and a plurality of reflective panels 702. Flexible line 701 is usedto attach safety panel accessory 700 to a garment or to a backpack, suchas by tying safety panel accessory 700 to the garment or backpack.Alternatively, flexible line 701 could include, for example, a zipper,snaps or Velcro, for attaching safety panel accessory 700 to a garmentor a backpack. Each reflective panel 702 is generally triangular inshape with the base of the triangular shape being attached to flexibleline 701. Additionally or in the alternative, each panel 702 can befurther made from a material having a fluorescent color and/or aluminescent pigment to make the panels more visible. It should beunderstood that the overall shape of each reflective panel 702 can bedifferent from being triangularly shaped, such as a series ofrectangular shapes, being a series of square shapes, or beingscalloped-shaped, as long as the panel has sufficient width so that eachpanel will have a flapping motion as air moves past the panel.

[0029] Although the foregoing invention has been described in somedetail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparentthat certain changes and modifications may be practiced that are withinthe scope of the appended claims. For example, alternative embodimentsof the present invention include an arm covering, such as an arm warmer,a leg covering, such as a leg warmer, a jacket, a vest, or a pair ofrunning pants that would be used by a runner. Accordingly, the presentembodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive,and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, butmay be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety garment, comprising: a garment portion;and at least one reflective panel portion attached to the garmentportion, each reflective panel portion moving in a swaying motion as airmoves past the reflective panel portion.
 2. The safety garment accordingto claim 1, wherein the garment portion is at least one arm covering. 3.The safety garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment portion isat least one leg covering.
 4. The safety garment according to claim 1,wherein the garment portion includes a torso portion and at least onesleeve portion, and wherein a reflective panel portion is attached to atleast one of the torso portion and a sleeve portion.
 5. The safetygarment according to claim 4, wherein at least one reflective panelportion is attached to a torso portion and at least one reflective panelportion is attached to a sleeve portion.
 6. The safety garment accordingto claim 1, wherein the reflective panel portion further includes afluorescent color.
 7. The safety garment according to claim 6, whereinthe reflective panel portion further includes a luminescent pigment. 8.The safety garment according to claim 1, wherein the reflective panelportion further includes a luminescent pigment.
 9. The safety garmentaccording to claim 1, wherein the reflective panel portion includes anouter edge that is reflective.
 10. The safety garment according to claim1, wherein the garment portion is one of a shirt, a vest, a jacket, acoat, a pair of shorts, and a pair of pants.
 11. The safety garmentaccording to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the reflective panelportion includes a plurality of streamers.
 12. A safety garment,comprising: a garment portion; and at least one panel portion attachedto the garment portion and having a fluorescent color, each panelportion moving in a swaying motion as air moves past the panel portion.13. The safety garment according to claim 12, wherein the garmentportion is at least one arm covering.
 14. The safety garment accordingto claim 12, wherein the garment portion is at least one leg covering.15. The safety garment according to claim 12, wherein the garmentportion includes a torso portion and at least one sleeve portion, andwherein a panel portion is attached to at least one of the torso portionand a sleeve portion.
 16. The safety garment according to claim 15,wherein at least one panel portion is attached to a torso portion and atleast one panel portion is attached to a sleeve portion.
 17. The safetygarment according to claim 12, wherein the panel portion furtherincludes a luminescent pigment.
 18. The safety garment according toclaim 12, wherein the garment portion is one of a shirt, a jacket, acoat, a pair of shorts, and a pair of pants.
 19. The safety garmentaccording to claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the panel portionincludes a plurality of streamers.
 20. The safety garment according toclaim 12, wherein the panel portion includes an outer edge that isreflective.
 21. A safety garment, comprising: a garment portion; and atleast one panel portion attached to the garment portion and having aluminescent pigment, each panel portion moving in a swaying motion asair moves past the panel portion.
 22. The safety garment according toclaim 21, wherein the garment portion is at least one arm covering. 23.The safety garment according to claim 21, wherein the garment portion isat least one leg covering.
 24. The safety garment according to claim 21,wherein the garment portion includes a torso portion and at least onesleeve portion, and wherein a panel portion is attached to at least oneof the torso portion and a sleeve portion.
 25. The safety garmentaccording to claim 24, wherein at least one panel portion is attached toa torso portion and at least one panel portion is attached to a sleeveportion.
 26. The safety garment according to claim 21, wherein thegarment portion is one of a shirt, a vest, a jacket, a coat, a pair ofshorts, and a pair of pants.
 27. The safety garment according to claim21, wherein at least a portion of the panel portion includes a pluralityof streamers.
 28. The safety garment according to claim 21, wherein thepanel portion includes an outer edge that is reflective.
 29. A safetybackpack, comprising: a backpack portion; and at least one reflectivepanel portion attached to the backpack portion, each reflective panelportion moving in a swaying motion as air moves past the reflectivepanel portion.
 30. The safety backpack according to claim 29, whereinthe reflective panel portion further includes a fluorescent color. 31.The safety backpack according to claim 30, wherein the reflective panelportion further includes a luminescent pigment.
 32. The safety backpackaccording to claim 29, wherein the reflective panel portion furtherincludes a luminescent pigment.
 33. The safety backpack according toclaim 29, wherein the reflective panel portion includes a flexible linethat attaches the reflective panel portion to the backpack portion. 34.A safety backpack, comprising: a backpack portion; and at least onepanel portion attached to the backpack portion and having a fluorescentcolor, each panel portion moving in a swaying motion as air moves pastthe panel portion.
 35. The safety backpack according to claim 34,wherein the panel portion further includes a luminescent pigment. 36.The safety backpack according to claim 34, wherein the panel portionincludes a flexible line that attaches the reflective panel to thebackpack portion.
 37. A safety backpack, comprising: a backpack portion;and at least one panel portion attached to the backpack portion andhaving a luminescent pigment, each panel portion moving in a swayingmotion as air moves past the panel portion.
 38. The safety backpackaccording to claim 37, wherein the panel portion includes a flexibleline that attaches the reflective panel to the backpack portion.